Programs

​Sonoma County Forum offers an exciting array of speakers including leaders in business, education, health care, the arts, and local government. Our speakers provide an excellent way to gain knowledge of the community and learn about its vast resources. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 8am at the Epicenter, off of Piner Road, west of Coffey Lane in Santa Rosa.

Scroll below for information about upcoming 2026 speakers.
For biographies of past speakers, by year, click here.

Upcoming Speakers

February 5, 2026

Heloisa Heinen, Exec. Director, CASA: "Improving the Lives of Vulnerable Foster Children"

Heloisa Heinen

Heloisa Heinen is executive director of CASA, the Sonoma County Court Appointed Special Advocates Program.  The program serves abused and neglected children coming before the Juvenile Court for protection and rehabilitation services; helping those children victims of child abuse and neglect heal, feel safe and loved and have a “voice” in court, in schools, and in the community. Every child in foster care is given  a trained volunteer who will act as a consistent role model, advocate, and potential life connection. CASA volunteers make sure foster kids don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service systems or languish in unsupportive foster homes. These volunteers stay with children until their court case is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.  Join us as Heloisa discusses the role CASA plays in improving the lives of vulnerable foster children in our community.

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February 19, 2026

Michelle Harris, "Making Santa Rosa the Hub of North Bay Hockey"

Michelle Harris

Michelle Harris is the owner, President and Managing Director of the Santa Rosa Growlers, a semi-professional Senior-A hockey organization based in Santa Rosa. The Santa Rosa Growlers, whose home games are at the Snoopy Ice Arena in Santa Rosa, are proud members of the Mountain Hockey League (MHL) — a semi-professional Senior “A” league built by players, for players. Under Michele’s leadership the Growlers have become more than a hockey team—they are a community platform.  Her work includes the development of youth programming, charitable fundraising efforts, and long term plans for expanded training and community facilities.

Her mission is simple: to build a sustainable hockey organization that delivers high-level competition, meaningful community impact, and unforgettable experiences for players, fans and partners alike.  Join us to hear more about Santa Rosa's hockey team: The Growlers!

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March 5, 2026

Firuze Gokce: Whales Sounds on a Canvas

Firuze Gokce

Firuze Gokce is an artist, conservationist, and storyteller. Her work is inspired by reverence for the ocean, especially whales. She became fascinated with whales after hearing their calls through a hydrophone recording, a moment that sparked an obsession to translate acoustic phenomena into visual expression. Since 2000, Firuze’s experience leading companies, co-founding startups, and developing marketing strategies has earned her recognition internationally and in the US. After moving to California from her native Turkey, Firuze empowered marine and whale conservation nonprofits such as the American Cetacean Society, BayQuest, Orcasound, and Sustainable Ocean Alliance. She currently serves as the Project Lead of the BayQuest SeaSounds Project, a passive acoustic monitoring initiative that studies the impact of vessel noise on humpback whales in San Francisco Bay. Firuze’s art show, Whale Sounds on a Canvas, is on display at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation until April 24.

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2026 Program Schedule

	Speaker
Jan. 15	Emily Lynn Cornelius, 6th Street Theatre: "Connecting Community Through Local Theatre"
Feb. 5	Heloisa Heinen, Exec. Director, CASA: "Improving the Lives of Vulnerable Foster Children"
Feb. 19	Michelle Harris, Owner/President, Santa Rosa Growlers: "Making Santa Rosa the Hub of North Bay Hockey"
March 5	Firuze Gokce, Whale Sounds on a Canvas
March 19	Mimi Enright, Master Gardeners Program
April 2	TBA
April 16	TBA
May 7	TBA
May 21	TBA
June 4	TBA
June 18	TBA
July 2	TBA
July 16	TBA
August 6	TBA
August 20	TBA
Sept. 3	TBA
Sept. 17	TBA
Oct. 1	TBA
Oct. 15	TBA
Nov. 5	TBA
Nov. 19	TBA
Dec. 3	TBA
Dec. 17	Holiday Party (members only)